DM Zyren's Heart of Light

An epic search for the Amethyst heptagon leads a party of fresh graduates through the northern reaches of Ustalav. Based in Karcau, the party visits places like the dark Castle Jarovich or the dangerous alleys of Carrion Hill.

Solaric squeezes the Countess' hand. "That dark knight appears near unbeatable. He doesn't look like he is going anywhere. This is tense to watch a jousting match from the sidelines. I feel like there is nothing that can be done from here."

Again Narumek's name echoes through the stadium, but soon the crowd has only eyes and ears for the newly arrived Aramis.

He enters the jousting area as if he had already won the competition, greeting people he does not know here and there, beaming at the crowd while his squires throw puppets with his portrait into the ranks of spactators.

His opponent however looks rather drowsy and has already yawned about five times before he has closed his visor.

"Your Grace, I am most sorry about your cousin. Indeed Narumek is a worthy opponent."

At the sight of Aramis and his drowsy opponent, Solaric adds, "Will you look at that. His opponent looks as if he is about to fall off of his horse before the match even begins! Something must be at work! How does he do it! He is clearly determined to win this event at any cost!"

Hearing Victoria and Harl speak about the likelihood of foul play, Kirk says, "I think I might've run into him at Vasti's tent earlier. I saw one of Aramis's cronies posing as a squire - when I tried to confront him, though, he started to cause a scene and I had to let him go. I'd recognize him if I saw him again, though, certainly."

Aramis waits until the very second and rides close to the stands to mingle with the crowd and impress the ladies. As his opponent then suddenly nearly falls off his horse he decides it's time to act, closes his visor, rides over to him and pushes him gently out off his saddle...silence...then laughter and a beaming Aramis. The fight is over and the judges just shrug.

At least one of the tournament's wizards now walks over to the fallen knight and checks if he is ok.

The Countess does her best slightly contrite and sorrowful expression as she walks demurely towards the errand boy, and signals for his attention, drawing closer she speaks...

"I am terribly sorry, I heard that my minder gave you a terrible and undeserved fright, is it...true?", her bottom lip almost trembling with guilt and shock.

Bluff 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31

She goes on...

"Well I have come to apologise and make amends, we are all friends here of course, and I even spent time at dinner with the fine Sir, so I am shocked there has been such scandal, especially with one as loyal and high born as yourself being marred in such a terrible way..."

"Perhaps we could take a stroll and talk about it, I am in such a state hearing of the brutality you endured I couldn't possibly sit down to watch any loud and violent jousting right now, and need a fit and proper escort whilst I catch some air..."

Having turned his back, but not his ears to what is transpiring between the servant and Victoria, Harl almost loses it but maintains his compsure."Oh boy, that idiot is going to be asking for her hand if she keeps this up much longer, hehehe."

At the sight of Aramis's duel, Kirk's eyes narrow into slits as he looks across the jousting lanes at the corrupt knight. "Two can play at that game, Aramis," he says to nobody in particular, then he spends the next couple of minutes imagining how exactly he catch Aramis unaware before the tournament's end.

"Aramis clearly has his evil hand in this. Every time he faces an opponent, the opponent is incapacitated in some way. These are knights! Any knight in their right mind would not be falling asleep at the prospect of jousting in the name of their honor and glory. My companions are doing everything in their power to prevent this from happening further, but somehow they have not been able to stop it. The opponents of de Voisseur have either been drunk or asleep. Let us pray that we can stop this deceptive weasel before he ends up winning the entire affair!"

"Oh Solaric, if he goes on like this I have to marry him! Imagine what a ghastly fate that is!"

"I am trying not to think about it. The vision is far too ghastly for me. But do not fear, your Grace, we will shine the light upon him and show his true colors to the world. I will do everything in my power to see that we will be together."

"Well, I hear my name. I must now depart. Until I see you again, your highness, fare well!"

Solaric gently takes her hand in his and gives it a gentle kiss. He then proceeds back to Dart and gives her a gentle pat, relaxing her before the next round.

"Easy girl, this will be a challenging round, but we must stay calm and let the Inheritor guide us in our every move."

"Blessed Iomedae, you are the light that guides me this and every day. Let me be your servant, a knight that listens to your word. Let me use this lance as you would have me do so!"

As he approaches the jousting ring, he salutes Narumek politely and calls to him.

"I look forward to this match, Narumek! Should you fail, I do hope you will find it in your heart to forgive yourself. However, you should know that I am guided by the almighty Inheritor and I consider it an honor to face you!"

At the drop of the flag, Solaric stirs on his mount and aims his lance toward Narumek the Unforgiving driving it to his head to dismount the formidable knight!

Narumek, I am not sure if it made any difference, but in my lost roll I was +3 for damage, not +1. Thus I did a total of 11 points of damage.

"Nice run Dart, you are the best steed I have ever ridden!" Solaric says as he reaches down and pats her neck.

"Does this guy ever fall off?"

Turning around and preparing for another run, Solaric says a prayer of thanks to the Inheritor and casts guidance before he makes another run against Narumek.

"Blessed Inheritor. Thank you for your guidance. Now, by your divine light, open my heart to the faith you have given to all who seek to see and know your face. Let me now go forth to victory in your name! Let it be so!"

Solaric spurs Dart onward with patient resolve. Aiming his lance carefully, he makes another attempt to strike his opponent off of his horse.

The errand boy looks at Victoria as if she was the answer to all of his unanswered prayers

I...yes, m'lady!

he quickly takes your hand and lets himself be guided away by you...

As they walk, Victoria continues her charade...

"I worry about these tournaments, all these swords, all this false bravado. I worry that decent men, men such as yourself could come to harm through the careless actions of others... one of these knights was so drunk he could barely stand, what if a decent man like yourself caused insult to such a knave? What foul tricks might he stoop to to exact petty revenge, as the base jackal seeks to ambush the proud lion... I shouldn't speak of such things, but I feel so compelled, so compelled to give you but a small Ladies blessing to keep you safe? Oh do forgive me but I must..."